Welcome to the autumn 2015 County Network news (28th October 2015), a quick catch up of information for the Winter.

Network Reboot

Network Reboot as you may/may not be aware the network programme is changing and will be more project based but you will still be able to have a “regular/traditional programme” but there needs to be a bigger focus on projects which you choose within your district/local area networks. These projects will come from the new programme areas of Adventure, International and Community. I regrettably was unable to go to the network workshops at the reunion because of other commitments that I had at the event. However a member that went has told me that the last part of the reboot will be out soon (November) and that there will be virtual badges that you can earn that can be made up of whatever you want.

You Shape 2016

As I’m sure you are aware scouting is now leading towards vision 2018 with youth shaped scouting in partnership with adults. As some of you might be aware there is a national youth commissioner (Hannah Kentish), last year she held an event in London called youshape this year they are holding a residential weekend on the 5th - 7th of Feb. Please please apply to go if you can there is also a opportunity for funding to go from county to attend so that might help. Please see below message

A national residential event will take place at Dearne Valley Activity Centre, Kingswood over the weekend of #YouShape Week (5-7 Feb 2016). We want 2 young people, one aged 14-18 and the other aged 18-25, from every county to attend the event. The applications for this are open now and we are hoping that you will encourage your young people to apply using this survey.

Linking Events With Explorers

Please can I remind all network members groups how important it is to link with explorers/young leaders to continue to move the section forward. Ideally each District would be looking to have I join event per term between Network and Explorers (sectionly taking it in turns to host the night). It is also good practice to find out who is 17.5 years old and have a 1-2-1 with them asking them what they plan to do when they turn 18. Whether this is to explain to them that they have 3 options:

• Become a Network Member• Become a Network Member and a Sectional Leader• Just become a Sectional Leader

At this time you can also remind the person that if they are going to study or work then they can still do network in there new local area and where they come from. And that they become a member of the UK scout network and join in where ever they are!!

County Socials and camps 2016

We are Planning so far 2 have 2 events next year so please keep the following dates free:

29th - 30th January 2016 – County Christmas Social – Hopefully at Kinver (TBC Venue) indoors or outdoors accommodation. Will cost a tenner or less.

A good part of being a member of Network. If you haven’t been on a national camp for network before you might want to go to some of the below next year, there great fun and you can make new friends from across the country. Please note that some of the websites might have this year’s stuff on at the moment not 2016.

As a county we would like to try and attend the following 2 camps Intense (early September) and Festival Camp (1st – 3rd July).

Explorer BeltAt our last county meeting it was suggested that there might be enough people across the county that want to do their Explorer Belt. If you would like to be a part of a potential team then please let me know. I have put the weblink for the award below so that you know what is involved. Link: http://members.scouts.org.uk/explorerbelt

FinallyI’m here to help you in your “network Journey” at any point and in any way (well as much as I can do!!) so drop me a line by email and I will happily help.

See our Queen's Scout Award 2014 receipientsat Windor on the next page or click here.

County Network “Boot Up”

On the 10th to the 12th of October, HaWK (The county Network) had a walking weekend at Nantmor Mountain centre North Wales. The weekend was enjoyed by members from Black Pear Network (Worcester) and Boarbarian Network (Bromsgrove). Members enjoyed a good weekend with lots of walking and site seeing.

Network Monoply Run ((31st May / 1st June 2014)at Liverpool Street Station

The last big Event was the “Cider and Perry Camp” which was held on the 11th – 13th July at Warren oak Campsite, Ledbury. This was a chilled out weekend with activities and the AGM. Some photos are available on the website - click here. There is also a Facebook event page.

Network Explorer Belt 2015 (EB15). After having an information evening there was a sign up and further information day at Kinver Scout Campsite on the 19th of July. There will be an expression of interest form going out soon (online form and a print off one) so keep an eye out for the email containing more information.

HaWK Summer Walk. There was a county network walk on the 31st of August at Ystradfellte, in the Brecon Beacons National Park. There is an event page on the HaWK Facebook Page containing more information.

HaWK Network "Boot Up". This was held on the 10th – 12th October at Nantmor Mountain Centre in Snowdonia . There is an event page on the HaWK Facebook Page containing information.

HaWK “Curry and Quiz” this will be held in October. More details to follow but it would be nice to see as many teams as possible. Keep an eye on the Facebook event page for more information as it comes out.